Teen designers sought for Little Free Libraries

The Dover Public Library invites grades 6-12 to participate in its first Little Free Library Design Contest through Jan. 25.

At least one winning design will be selected to be recreated on a Little Free Library donated by Rabbi John Spitzer and friends. The winner also will receive a gift card.

Forms are located online at www.doverlibrary.org and in the teen room. The contest is sponsored in part by a 21st Century Afterschool Learning Grant with Dover High School.

Little Free Libraries are small houses for books within a community where people can take and leave books at their will to freely share the joy of reading with each other. These small book boxes help communities share the love of books and reading by making books freely available across many different locations where traditional libraries may not be able to have branches, like parks.

“Rabbi John Spitzer and friends have generously donated several Little Free Libraries to be placed in the community,” library director Jim Gill said. “We just need some really good designs for them.”

“That’s where we’re counting on our awesome and creative local teens,” teen/outreach services manager Liz Strauss said.

Teens can submit as many designs as they would like for the contest but can only win one of the gift cards. The deadline for submissions is Jan. 25. If selected, the design will be recreated on one of the Little Free Libraries and carefully painted by volunteers as a community-service project. The Little Free Libraries will be installed in the community in spring 2022.

The Dover Public Library is located at 525 N. Walnut St. in Dover, across the street from Dover High School, and online at www.doverlibrary.org.